Garment with reinforced underlining

ABSTRACT

A garment having a torso portion with arm openings and a head opening, and at least one padding element attached to an inner surface of the torso portion, is provided. The at least one padding element can be positioned to prevent nipple show-through. A garment having a torso portion with arm openings and a head opening; an underlining extending laterally across a chest of a wearer, wherein the underlining is adapted to be between the torso portion and a wearer of the garment; and at least one padding element attached to the underlining, wherein said at least one padding element is positioned to prevent nipple show-through, is also provided. A garment having a torso portion with arm openings and a head opening, and a protective element integrated into an inner surface of the torso portion, wherein the protective element is positioned to prevent nipple show-through, is provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/714,282, filed Aug. 3, 2018, the content of which is relied upon and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Women generally wear a form-fitting undergarment to support or cover their breasts and nipples. Some women may prefer to wear a garment without an undergarment, but omitting an undergarment may lead to nipple poke-through.

SUMMARY

In various embodiments, a garment comprising a torso portion comprising arm openings and a head opening; and at least one padding element attached to an inner surface of the torso portion, wherein the at least one padding element is positioned to prevent nipple show-through, is provided.

In various embodiments, a garment comprising a torso portion comprising arm openings and a head opening; an underlining extending laterally across a chest of a wearer, wherein the underlining is adapted to be between the torso portion and a wearer of the garment; and at least one padding element attached to the underlining, wherein said at least one padding element is positioned to prevent nipple show-through, is provided.

In various embodiments, a garment comprising a torso portion comprising arm openings and a head opening, wherein the torso portion further comprises a protective element integrated into an inner surface of the torso portion, and wherein the protective element is positioned to prevent nipple show-through, is provided.

Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognized by practicing the embodiments as described herein, including the detailed description which follows, the claims, as well as the appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The features and advantages of the garment described herein will be more fully disclosed in, or rendered obvious by the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which are to be considered together with the accompanying drawings, wherein like numbers refer to like parts and further wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of the inside of a garment, in accordance with some embodiments described herein.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the inside of a garment, in accordance with some embodiments described herein.

FIG. 3A is a cross-section the garment along the X-X plane in FIG. 1, in accordance with some embodiments herein.

FIG. 3B is a cross-section the garment along the X-X plane in FIG. 1, in accordance with some embodiments herein.

FIG. 3C is a cross-section the garment along the Y-Y plane in FIG. 2, in accordance with some embodiments herein.

FIG. 3D is a cross-section the garment along the Y-Y plane in FIG. 2, in accordance with some embodiments herein.

FIG. 4 is an environmental view of the garment, in accordance with some embodiments described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The description of the preferred embodiments is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form in the interest of clarity and conciseness. In this description, relative terms such as “horizontal,” “vertical,” “up,” “down,” “top,” “bottom,” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing figure under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description and normally are not intended to require a particular orientation. Terms including “inwardly” versus “outwardly,” “longitudinal” versus “lateral” and the like are to be interpreted relative to one another or relative to an axis of elongation, or an axis or center of rotation, as appropriate. Terms concerning attachments, coupling and the like, such as “connected” and “interconnected,” refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both moveable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise, and includes terms such as “directly” coupled, secured, etc. The term “operatively coupled” is such an attachment, coupling, or connection that allows the pertinent structures to operate as intended by virtue of that relationship.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1-4, a garment (2) including a torso portion (3) and at least one padding element (24) is provided. In some embodiments, the at least one padding element (24) is positioned to prevent nipple show-through (i.e., the visibility of a person's areola or nipple through the material of a garment). In some embodiments, there are two padding elements (24). In some embodiments, the at least one padding element (24) is adapted to prevent nipple poke-through (i.e., the torso portion (3) is not distended by a person's nipple).

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3A, and 3B, the at least one padding element (24) is attached to the torso portion (3). In some embodiments, two padding elements (24) are attached to the torso portion (3). In some embodiments, the at least one padding element (24) is permanently attached to the torso portion (3) through any suitable means (e.g., stitching, adhesion, thermal bonding, etc.). In some embodiments, the at least one padding element (24) is removably coupled to the torso portion (3) through any suitable means (e.g., buttons, snaps, hook and loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro), etc.). In some embodiments, the at least one padding element (24) is sized, shaped, and located appropriately to cover and conceal the wearer's nipple(s). For example, in such embodiments, the at least one padding element (24) can be a suitable thickness, depending on the material(s) used, to prevent nipple poke-through. In some embodiments, the padding element (24) can have a thickness of about 1/16 inch to about ½ inch, or about 1/16 inch to about ¼ inch, or about 1/16 inch to about ⅛ inch. For example, in some embodiments the padding element (24) can have a shape selected from an oval, circle, square, rectangle, etc. In some embodiments, the garment (2) includes two padding elements (24), each configured to cover one of the wearer's nipples. In some embodiments, the garment includes one padding element (24) configured to cover both of the wearer's nipples.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3C, the garment (2) also includes an underlining (20). In such embodiments, the underlining (20) is adapted to be between the inner surface (5) of the torso portion (3) and the wearer of the garment. In some embodiments, the underlining (20) extends laterally across the chest of a wearer. In such embodiments, the underlining (20) can be attached to opposing lateral sides of the inner surface (5) of the torso portion (3) that it extends across. In some embodiments, the underlining (20) is a single layer of material. In some embodiments, the underlining (20) comprises a plurality of layers of material. In some embodiments, the underlining (20) extends along a portion of the longitudinal axis (26) of the torso portion (3) or garment (2). In such embodiments, for example, the underlining (20) can extend vertically for a distance of about 1 to about 20 inches, from about 1 to 10 inches, from about 2 to about 8 inches, or from about 3 to about 7 inches along the longitudinal axis (26) of the torso portion (3) or garment (2).

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2, at least one padding element (24) is attached to the underlining (20). In some embodiments, two padding elements (24) are attached to the underlining (20). In some embodiments, the padding element (24) can be permanently attached to the underlining (20) through any suitable means (e.g., stitching, adhesion, thermal bonding, etc.). In some embodiments, the padding element (24) can be removably coupled to the underlining (20) through any suitable means (e.g., pockets, whether open or closed, sleeves, buttons, snaps, hook and loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro), etc.). In some embodiments, the padding element (24) is sized, shaped, and located appropriately to cover and conceal the wearer's nipple(s). For example, the padding element (24) can have a shape selected from an oval, circle, square, rectangle, etc. In some embodiments, the garment (2) includes two padding elements (24), each configured to cover one of the wearer's nipples. In some embodiments, the garment includes one padding element (24) configured to cover both of the wearer's nipples.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the torso portion (3) includes arm openings (14 a, 14 b) and a head opening (16). In some embodiments, the garment is sleeveless. In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the garment (2) can include a pair of sleeves (18 a, 18 b) joined to the torso portion (3) at the arm openings (14 a, 14 b). In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the garment (2) includes a collar (19). In such embodiments, the collar (19) is joined to the torso portion (3) at the head opening (16).

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the torso portion (3) includes front (4 a) and rear (4 b) panels. In such embodiments, each of the front (4 a) and rear (4 b) panels can have corresponding top (6), bottom (8), and opposed side edges (10, 12). In such embodiments, the front and rear panels (4 a, 4 b) can include arm openings (14 a, 14 b) formed on each side edge adjacent to the top edge, and a neck opening (16) formed on the top edge medial of the arm openings. In some embodiments, the front and rear corresponding side edges can be joined to each other to form side seams (28). In some embodiments, the front and rear corresponding side edges can be joined to each other adjacent to the arm openings to form a seam (28) for a distance that defines a continuous fabric along a longitudinal axis (26) of the garment (2).

In some embodiments, the underlining (20) is attached to the side seams (28), or to where the front and rear corresponding side edges are joined. In some embodiments, the underlining (20) is joined to the inner surface (5) of the front panel (4 a) and the side edges or sides, but not the back panel (4 b). In such embodiments, the underlining (20) is joined to side edges (10, 12) of the front panel (4 a) and/or to the torso portion (3) it extends across. In some embodiments, the underlining (20) extends laterally across the inner surface (5) of the front panel (4a) of the torso portion (3) but does not extend all the way to the side seams (28), or to where the front and rear corresponding side edges are joined. In some embodiments, the underlining (20) is attached to the torso portion (3) along its edges and/or at one or more intermediate portions of the underlining (20).

In some embodiments, the underlining (20) material can be attached to additional locations of the torso portion (3). For example, in some embodiments, the underlining (20) can be attached to the V-neck portion of head opening (16) or other areas of the garment where such material may be comfortable for the wearer.

The torso portion (3) can be made out of any suitable material. In some embodiments, the material can be made from one or more kinds of fabric (e.g., knits or wovens). In some embodiments, the fabric can be a natural fiber (e.g., cotton, silk, etc.), a synthetic fiber (e.g., polyester, nylon, acrylic), including specialty synthetic or semi-synthetic fibers (e.g., spandex, rayon, etc.), or a combination of natural and/or synthetic and/or semi-synthetic fibers (e.g., di-blend, tri-blend, polyblend).

The underlining (20) can be made out of any suitable material. In some embodiments, the underlining (20) is made out of the same material as the torso portion (3). In some embodiments, the underlining (20) and the torso portion (3) are made out of different materials. In some embodiments, the underlining (20) is made out of a breathable material, meaning that the fabric has more open knits, looser weaves, thinner material, and/or finer yarns. In some embodiments, for example, the underlining (20) is selected from the group consisting of cotton, chambray, rayon, linen, silk, merino wool, nylon, polyester, and a combination thereof. Other fabrics and materials are contemplated. In some embodiments, the underlining (20) can be a moisture-wicking and/or quick drying material. In some embodiments, the underlining (20) can include mesh panels and/or air vents.

Generally, the padding element (24) is made out of a soft, smooth, non-abrasive, and/or non-irritating material. For example, the padding element (24) can be made out of a material that minimizes friction against the wearer's skin and/or nipples. In some embodiments, the padding element (24) is made out of the same material as the torso portion (3) or, if present, the underlining (20). In some embodiments, the padding element (24), the underlining (20), and the torso portion (3) are each made out of different materials. In some embodiments, the padding element (24) is made from a softer material than the material used to make the torso portion (3) and/or underlining (20).

The padding element (24) can be made out of any suitable material. In some embodiments, for example, the padding element is made out of a soft material selected from the group consisting of felt, fleece, velvet, muslin, flannel, batiste, cashmere, cashmerette, challis, charmeuse, foulard, messaline, mull, cotton, oxford, silkaline, surah, swanskin, voile, and a combination thereof. The padding element (24) can also be made of a foam, which may or may not be covered with a soft material, such as those already mentioned above. Other soft fabrics and materials are contemplated.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3A, the padding element (24) is a single layer. In such embodiments, the padding element (24) is directly attached to the torso portion (3). For example, in some embodiments, the padding element (24) is permanently attached to the torso portion (3) with stitching (34) or using an adhesive.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3B, the padding element (24) includes a plurality of layers. For example, in some embodiments, the padding element (24) includes an inner layer (30) and an outer layer (32). In such embodiments, the outer layer (32) is positioned between the torso portion (3) and the inner layer (30), which is positioned between the outer layer (32) and the skin of the garment wearer. In some embodiments, for example, the inner layer (30) is a soft material and the outer layer (32) comprises a rigid material (e.g., embroidery backing, canvas, or another suitable stabilizing material that is stiffer than the soft layer). In some embodiments, the plurality of layers includes an intermediate layer between the inner layer (30) and the outer layer (32). In some embodiments, each layer in the plurality of layers is attached to another layer and/or separately attached to the torso portion (3). For example, in some embodiments, the outer layer (32) is attached (e.g., permanently fused with glue or stitching) to the inner layer (30), and the inner layer (30) is attached to the torso portion (3). In some embodiments, for example, the padding element (24) is permanently attached to the torso portion (3) with stitching (34). In such embodiments, the stitching (34) can be stitched through the material of the inner layer (30), the outer layer (32), or both.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3C, the padding element (24) is attached to underlining (20). In some embodiments, for example, the padding element (24) is permanently attached to the underlining (20) with stitching (34). In some embodiments, the underlining (20) is attached to opposing lateral sides of the inner surface (5) of the torso portion (3) that it extends across. In some embodiments, the underlining (20) is optionally attached to the inner surface (5) of the torso portion (3) in one or more additional locations. For example, the underlining (20) is permanently attached near the center of the torso portion (3) (e.g., at the bottom of the V-neck) as shown in FIG. 2. In addition, or alternatively, in some embodiments, the underlining (20) is permanently attached to the torso portion (3) at the sides (e.g., along its vertical edges), either intermittently or continuously. For example, as shown in FIG. 3C, the underlining (20) is permanently attached to the torso portion (3) with stitching (36).

In some embodiments, the underlining (20) comprises a plurality of layers of material and the padding element (24) is enclosed within a pocket or an enclosed space defined between two layers of the underlining (20). In some embodiments, for example, as shown in FIG. 3D, two layers of underlining (20 a, 20 b) are attached to the inner surface (5) of the torso portion (3) to create a pocket (22), and the padding element (24) is enclosed within the space between the outer underlining layer (20 a) and the inner underlining layer (20 b). In such embodiments, the inner underlining layer (20 b) is a soft material, such as one of the materials suitable for the padding element (24). In some embodiments, the outer underlining layer (20 a) and the inner underlining layer (20 b) are permanently attached to the torso portion (3) with stitching (36).

In some embodiments, the garment is a shirt, including, for example, a t-shirt, tank-top, blouse, rugby shirt, collared-shirt, sweat shirt, etc. In some embodiments, the article is a dress, including, for example, a maxi dress, slip dress, sundress, party dress, gown, etc. In some embodiments, the article is a tunic, vest, bathrobe, or poncho. The garment can be for women or men. Other garments are contemplated.

In some embodiments, the underlining (20) and/or padding element (24) can be selected to have a drapability compatible with the torso portion (3) so that the underlining (20) and/or the padding element (24) is not detectable to third-parties observing the garment's wearer. In order to achieve this look, the underlining (20), the padding element (24), or both (20 and 24) can free from elastic fibers or other elastic materials. It should be understood that the underlining (20) and/or padding element (24) combination is not intended to function as a brassiere. Rather, the underlining (20) and/or padding element (24) is intended to allow the wearer to disregard a brassiere without worrying about nipple show-through. It will also be understood that this same design could be used for men's clothing for men who have nipple show-through.

In some embodiments, a garment (2) including a torso portion (3) comprising arm openings and a head opening (16) is provided. In some embodiments, a protective element is integrated into the inner surface of the torso portion. In such embodiments, the protective element is positioned to prevent nipple show-through and/or poke-through. In such embodiments, the protective element comprises a material (e.g., fabric) adapted to maximize the wearer's comfort. For example, in some embodiments, the material is non-irritating and adapted for sensitive skin areas of the wearer (e.g., nipple). In some embodiments, the torso portion comprising the integrated protective element has enough rigidity and/or density to accomplish the desired protection with respect to prevent nipple show-through and/or poke-through. In some embodiments, the protective element is woven directly into the torso portion. In some embodiments, the torso portion and the protective element comprise distinct materials (fabric). In some embodiments, the protective element comprises a material that is softer than the material of the garment. In some embodiments, the garment, including the torso portion, and the protective element comprise the same material.

The garment (2) can be adapted to be worn by either women or men. In particular, the garment (2) can be worn by a person who wants to prevent nipple show-through, nipple poke-through, or both. The garment (2) includes a torso portion (3) and at least one padding element (24) positioned to prevent nipple show-through. The at least one padding element (24) can be attached to the torso portion (3) or to an underlining (20) extending laterally across a chest of a wearer. The padding element (24) provides the wearer with an advantage because an additional garment (e.g., undershirt, brassiere) is not needed in order to prevent nipple show-through. The padding element (24) is adapted to prevent nipple poke-through, and provides the wearer with another advantage because typical garments can easily be distended by a wearer's nipple. If present, the underlining (20) conceals the attachment of the padding element(s) (24), and provides a material for coupling the padding element to the torso portion (3). The underlining (20) can also be made from a breathable and/or non-irritable material that is capable of wicking moister from the wearer's skin. Further advantages of the garment (2) are provided because the padding element (24) and the underlining (20), if present, do not need to extend all the way around the torso portion (3) and torso of a person. These features increase the overall comfort of the garment, and minimize the amount of fabric required to make the garment. Additionally, the padding element (24) and the underlining (20), if present, do not require any compressible materials, such as elastic, which are typically utilized in brassieres, and which can irritate a wearer's skin.

The foregoing is provided for purposes of illustrating, explaining, and describing embodiments of the invention. Modifications and adaptations to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

Although the subject matter has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto. Rather, the appended claims should be construed broadly, to include other variants and embodiments, which may be made by those skilled in the art. 

1. A garment, comprising: a torso portion comprising arm openings and a head opening; and at least one padding element attached to an inner surface of the torso portion, wherein the at least one padding element is positioned to prevent nipple show-through.
 2. The garment of claim 1, comprising two padding elements.
 3. The garment of claim 1, wherein the at least one padding element is permanently attached to the torso portion.
 4. The garment of claim 1, wherein the at least one padding element comprises a material that is softer than the torso portion.
 5. The garment of claim 1, wherein the at least one padding element comprises a plurality of layers, and wherein the plurality of layers comprises an outer layer adapted to be between the torso portion and a wearer of the garment.
 6. The garment of claim 4, wherein the at least one padding element comprises a material selected from the group consisting of felt, fleece, velvet, muslin, flannel, batiste, cashmere, cashmerette, challis, charmeuse, foulard, messaline, mull, cotton, oxford, silkaline, surah, swanskin, voile, and a combination thereof
 7. The garment of claim 1, wherein the torso portion comprises front and rear panels.
 8. The garment of claim 1, wherein the at least one padding element is adapted to prevent nipple poke-through.
 9. A garment, comprising: a torso portion comprising arm openings and a head opening; an underlining extending laterally across a chest of a wearer, wherein the underlining is adapted to be between the torso portion and a wearer of the garment; and at least one padding element attached to the underlining, wherein said at least one padding element is positioned to prevent nipple show-through and/or poke-through.
 10. The garment of claim 9, wherein the underlining comprises a breathable material.
 11. The garment of claim 10, wherein the breathable material is selected from the group consisting of cotton, chambray, rayon, linen, silk, merino wool, nylon, polyester, and a combination thereof.
 12. The garment of claim 9, wherein the torso portion comprises an inner surface.
 13. The garment of claim 12, wherein the underlining is attached to opposing lateral sides of the inner surface.
 14. The garment of claim 9, wherein the underlining is attached to side seams formed by the on the front and rear panels.
 15. The garment of claim 9, wherein the underlining is vertically disposed on along the longitudinal axis of the garment for a distance of about 1 to about 10 inches.
 16. The garment of claim 9, wherein the underlining comprises a two or more layers of material.
 17. The garment of claim 16, wherein the underlining forms a pocket configured to receive the at least one padding element.
 18. A garment, comprising: a torso portion comprising arm openings and a head opening, wherein the torso portion further comprises a protective element integrated into an inner surface of the torso portion, wherein the protective element is positioned to prevent nipple show-through.
 19. The garment of claim 18, wherein the protective element is woven into the torso portion.
 20. The garment of claim 18, wherein the protective element is adapted to prevent irritation of a wearer's skin. 